Keller, the team’s leading receiver last season, has missed the last three games because of a pulled hamstring. His status for Monday night against the Texans is up in the air. QB Mark Sanchez relies on Keller as his over-the-middle secruity blanket, and backup Jeff Cumberland hasn’t filled the void.

According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Jets rank near the bottom of the league in a handful of categories when targeting tight ends.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The Jets are tied for first place in the AFC East, but they’re a substantial home underdog this week against the undefeated Texans. On Thursday, Rex Ryan sounded ready to play the underdog card.

“We’re going to fight like we’re an underdog,” the coach claimed. “We’re going to swing, that’s for sure. We’re not just going to take it, that’s for sure.”

That may have been a veiled reference to the stinging remarks from 49ers CB Carlos Rogers, who accused the Jets’ defense of quitting in the second half of Sunday’s blowout.

After a disappointing 2011 season which ended with three straight losses, the Santonio Holmes theatrics in the final game left a bad taste in all Jets fans mouths, especially after back-to-back AFC Championship appearances. Quarterback Mark Sanchez led the Jets in his first two seasons, since being drafted in 2009, to those championship game appearances [...]

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Wide receiver Stephen Hill, tight end Dustin Keller and defensive tackle Sione Po’uha will not practice Thursday for the Jets. Hill (hamstring) and Keller (Hamstring) both missed Sunday’s game against San Francisco, and Po’uha has dealt with a lower-back issue this season.

Hill said Wednesday his hamstring is feeling better but he will have to test it either Sunday or Monday before he knows about his availability for the Monday night game.

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — It doesn’t get any easier for the Jets, who host the Texans (4-0) Monday night. A quick look at the Texans:

1. We could throw out a bunch of impressive numbers, but we’ll limit it to a few. The Texans, off to the best start in franchise history, have a league-best point differential — plus-70. They haven’t squandered a lead and they’ve trailed for only 18 minutes, 52 seconds out of 240 minutes.

The Jets signed WR Jason Hill on Wednesday and here is what he had to say to the media: On how long it will take to pick up the offense… It takes some time, but we’re game planning, so it’s not like I have to learn the whole playbook right now. My plays, I don’t [...]

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The Jets’ decision to overlook an unemployed Plaxico Burress has created plenty of chatter on talk shows. But why? It would’ve been foolish to bring him back. I’m not saying Jason Hill is the answer, but he’s a better answer than Burress.

Here’s why:

1. Burress is 35 and can’t separate from defenders. Yes, he was a red-zone weapon last season (eight TDs), but he was a pedestrian receiver between the 20s — only 34 receptions as an every-down player.

After being arrested twice within the span of one month, the cornerback was cut by the Lions in July. Now, he’s with the Jets on a two-year deal, being given an opportunity that he doesn’t want to waste.

“It’s a blessing,” Berry said Wednesday. “They gave me the second opportunity that a lot of people don’t get. I plan to take full advantage of it and do what I can to help this team win some games.

After all, the second-year receiver is suddenly the longest-tenured healthy receiver on the roster.

With Santonio Holmes done for the year with a Lisfranc injury to his left foot, the Jets will be relying on players short on experience with the team to try to help galvanize a dormant passing game. That includes Jason Hill, the 27-year-old receiver the team signed and who had his first practice Wednesday.